Children who have been adopted from Azerbaijan, along with their
new parents and families, will get a chance to meet each other
this summer on Saturday, July 13, 2002 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The idea for this first-ever reunion grew out of the friendships
that have developed through the AzerbaijanAdopt ListServ. Donna
Hoffman and Grace Barnard, who adopted children last year, suggested
the reunion.

Above: First Halloween in the U.S: Lucas and
Rachel in October 2001, who now live in Kansas with their parents,
Kathleen and Jim Shryock, who are members of the Azerbaijanadopt
Listserv, which helps parents who have adopted children from
Azerbaijan or who are hoping to adopt. In July, there will be
a reunion for families who have adopted from Azerbaijan.

"We want to connect our families when the children are still
young so that they can grow up knowing each other," said
Kimi Abernathy, who is helping to organize the event. "Some
of these children were together in orphanages, and we want them
to maintain that connection. In addition, we want to support
one another in nurturing each other and keeping the Azerbaijani
culture alive for our children." Kimi and her husband, Bill,
have corresponded with more than 20 families regarding the adoption
process in Azerbaijan.

As part of the festivities, families will enjoy a picnic lunch
in a nearby park. Families are encouraged to make a donation
to Azerbaijani orphanages as a way of remembering the children
who are still living in institutions in Azerbaijan. Photos of
the reunion will be sent to the orphanages along with the donation.
Contact Kimi Abernathy at kimiabernathy@hotmail.com. Deadline
for hotel reservations is June 12.

The AzerbaijanAdopt listserv was launched in December 2001 as
an outgrowth of the response to an article that Kimi Abernathy
wrote for Azerbaijan International about adopting her daughter,
"A Home for Inara: At Last, Azerbaijan's First Adoption"
(AI 9.3, Autumn 2001). In the same issue, Kimi suggested guidelines
for parents who are seeking to adopt from Azerbaijan. SEARCH
at AZER.com. The Azerbaijan-Adopt group now has more than 70
members and serves as a forum for families who have already adopted
from Azerbaijan, who are in process or are considering adoption.
At any stage, the listserv provides a valuable resource for information,
friendship and support. To join the Azerbaijanadopt listserv,
go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/azerbaijanadopt/.
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